Richard A. Gillis

GILLIS, Richard A. Of Arlington, formerly of Brookline, unexpectedly passed away on October 21, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Leslie Faulkner Gillis. Born on May 9, 1953, Rick was the son of the late Austin of Rocky Bay Nova Scotia and Louise (Scully) Gillis of Brookline, Ma. Rick was a graduate of St. Mary's of the Assumption Grammar School in 1967. He attended St. Mary's High School for two years and then transferred and graduated from Brookline High School in 1971. He graduated from Harvard University in 1985. Rick was a voracious reader, part-time writer, certified Boston sports fan, an avid movie buff and led an active life. He worked at Harvard Medical school from 1984-2011. During this time, he rose through the ranks to the leadership position of Executive Director of Curriculum Programs. He was beloved by his staff and his colleagues due to his tireless commitment to the Medical Program at Harvard. In addition to his wife, he is survived by brother Robert W. Gillis and his wife Neth of Nashua, NH and brother Ronald J. Gillis and his wife Christine, nephew Ronald J. Gillis Jr. and niece Mikaela A.M. Gillis of Freeport, ME. Funeral from the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St., Rt. 60 (adjacent to St. Agnes Church), ARLINGTON, on Wednesday, October 26th at 9:00AM, followed by his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Church, Cambridge at 10:00AM. Services will conclude with burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington. Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend visiting hours at the funeral home on Tuesday October 25th from 4:00 to 8:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rick's name may be made to Melanoma Research Foundation at MRF, 1411 K St, NW #500 Washington, DC 20005. For obituary, directions or to send a condolence visit www.keefefuneralhome.com